U.S. patent number 3,708,218 [Application Number 05/094,780] was granted by the patent office on 1973-01-02 for water heated mirror for condensation control.
Invention is credited to Charles M. Smillie, III.
United States Patent |
3,708,218 |
Smillie, III |
January 2, 1973 |
WATER HEATED MIRROR FOR CONDENSATION CONTROL
Abstract
The water heated mirror includes a shell and a glass mirror
panel which define a conduit type chamber on the reverse surface of
the mirror panel in heat exchange relationship therewith through
which hot water flows to elevate the temperature of the glass panel
and prevent condensation of moisture on the reflecting surface
thereof. The side and bottom end walls of the shell are provided
with drain openings for the gravity drainage of spent water from
the interior of the chamber.
Inventors: |
Smillie, III; Charles M.
(Orchard Lake, MI) |
Family
ID: |
22247122 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/094,780 |
Filed: |
December 3, 1970 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
812155 |
Apr 1, 1969 |
3594063 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/512; 165/47;
248/467; 4/597; 165/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G
1/02 (20130101); G02B 7/1815 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02B
7/18 (20060101); G02b () |
Field of
Search: |
;350/61,3,310
;165/47,168,171 ;4/145,146,148 ;248/467 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schonberg; David
Assistant Examiner: Kusmer; Toby H.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a division of my copending U.S. application
entitled "Water Heated Mirror," Ser. No. 812,155, filed on Apr. 1,
1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,063.
Claims
What I claim as my invention is:
1. An indoor water heated mirror for use in steamy bath areas
comprising a shell having a back wall with upstanding side walls
and top and bottom end walls, a glass mirror panel glazed to the
outer marginal edges of said side and end walls in fluid-tight
engagement therewith to define an interior fluid-tight chamber,
said mirror panel and said shell defining a water conduit means for
the flow of hot water on the reverse surface of said panel in heat
exchange relationship with the panel to heat the panel and prevent
steam from condensing thereon, hot water inlet means in the top
wall of said shell, said side and bottom end walls having drain
openings therein for the gravity drainage of spent water from the
interior of said chamber, said drain openings causing the water to
flow uniformly within the chamber wherein structure is provided
within said chamber defining a flow path for hot water to cause
flow of water within the chamber in paths to pass substantially
uniformly over the reverse surface of said glass mirror in heat
exchange relationship therewith.
2. The indoor water heated mirror as defined in claim 1 and further
characterized in that the side walls of said shell are each
provided with a plurality of spaced apart inwardly directed notches
having a generally V-shape with upper and lower wall portions, the
upper wall portions having said openings formed therein, said lower
wall portions defining a downwardly inclined slope for the gravity
flow of water from the mirror after the water drains through the
openings.
3. The indoor water heated mirror as defined in claim 2 and further
characterized in the provision of a plurality of spaced apart
recesses in said back wall extending into contact with the reverse
side of said glass mirror panel to structurally rigidify the mirror
assembly and to define flow paths for water through said interior
fluid-tight chamber.
4. The indoor water heated mirror as defined in claim 1 and further
characterized in the provision of a sheet of plastic material
secured to the reverse surface of said mirror panel to insulate
said panel from the hot water flowing through said interior
chamber, said sheet of plastic material extending between the glass
mirror panel and the outer marginal edges of said side and end
walls to thereby glaze the glass mirror panel to the outer marginal
edges of the side and end walls in said fluid-tight engagement.
5. The indoor water heated mirror as defined in claim 1 wherein
said structure within said chamber comprises a plurality of
cylindrical recesses struck out of the back wall of said shell and
extending towards and engaging said mirror panel.
6. The indoor water heated mirror as defined in claim 1 wherein
said structure comprises a plurality of elongated recesses struck
out of the back wall of said shell and extending towards and
engaging said mirror panel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mirrors are frequently provided in bathrooms and shower areas for
use in shaving, combing the hair, and the like. When a person takes
a hot shower or a hot bath, steam generated from the hot water used
for bathing or showering causes moisture to condense on the
reflecting surface of the mirror, thus making the mirror unusable
for its usual purpose.
The present invention provides a means for flowing hot water
through conduit structure provided on the reverse side of the glass
mirror panel in heat exchange relationship therewith. The flow of
hot water causes the glass panel to become warm and thus prevents
the condensation of moisture on the reflecting surface, it being
appreciated that moisture will not condense on a surface which is
at an elevated temperature. Several different structures are
provided in accordance with the present invention for accomplishing
the purpose. The mirror assembly thus provided may easily be
integrated into the existing conduit means provided in bathrooms. A
fitting is disclosed which permits ready installation of the water
inlet of the mirror to existing shower heads. The mirror assembly
is relatively inexpensive and does not require extensive
modification of the bathroom plumbing for installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The water heated mirror comprises a shell having a back wall with
upstanding side and end walls. A glass mirror panel is glazed on
the outer marginal edges of the upstanding walls of the shell to
define an interior conduit type chamber for the flow of hot water
on the reverse surface of the glass mirror panel. Hot water inlet
means are provided for said conduit chamber. Drain openings are
provided in the side and bottom end walls of the shell for drainage
of spent water from the chamber.
IN THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of the water
heated mirror of the present invention illustratively mounted in a
shower stall.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the mirror of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view in section taken substantially along the line 3--3
of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the mirror taken substantially along
the line 4--4 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the right hand portion of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of the fitting utilized to connect
the mirror to the water supply;
FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a water
heated mirror;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8--8
of FIG. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows and pivoted
90.degree. in the clockwise direction;
FIG. 9 is a view in perspective of a further embodiment of the
water heated mirror;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line
10--10 of FIG. 9 looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line
11--11 of FIG. 9 looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of one of the suction cups of FIG. 9
illustrating the mode of attachment thereof to the mirror assembly;
and
FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating magnet means for attaching
the mirror to a support structure;
Referring first to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, it will
be noted that the water heated mirror 10 is mounted on the wall 12
of a shower stall beneath the shower head 14. The mirror is of
relatively large size to result in a full view of the upper portion
of a person's body. The mirror is mounted at approximately eye
level so that it may be used for shaving, combing of the hair, and
the like.
The mirror assembly comprises a glass plate 16 having the usual
silvering thereon for reflecting purposes. The plate 16 is mounted
in a generally rectangular frame 18. The frame 18 comprises top and
bottom elements 20, 22 and side elements 24, 26. The ends of these
elements are mitred so that they will fit together in the desired
rectangular shape.
The cross-sectional configuration of the frame elements is best
illustrated in FIG. 5. As will be there noted, each frame element
comprises a side wall 28 and a front wall 30 which extends at right
angles thereto. A first flange 32 extends from the inner surface of
the side wall 28 parallel to the front wall 30 and spaced
rearwardly therefrom to define a channel for receiving an edge
portion of the glass plate 16. The plate 16 is glazed into the
channel by use of a suitable glazing material to firmly hold the
glass in place and result in a fluid-tight joint.
A second flange 34 extends from the inner surface of the side wall
28 parallel to the first flange 32 and spaced rearwardly therefrom
to define a central channel 36. The flange 34 and rear portion of
the side wall 28 define an L-shaped recess. A rectangular panel 40
is received in this recess to form the back wall of the mirror
unit. The panel 40 is illustratively fabricated of a water-proof
fibrous material. However, other materials such as metal or plastic
may be used to fabricate the panel 40. The panel 40 is secured in
place by means of a suitable adhesive to result in the entire unit
being fluid-tight.
The mirror assembly thus far described defines a central space 42
which is utilized to receive a sinuous tubular coil 44. The coil 44
is formed in a sinuous pattern having downwardly directed tubular
portions 46 and upwardly directed portions 48 interconnected by two
bends 50, 52. The coil 44 is of a size to substantially occupy the
space 42 both vertically and horizontally to thereby substantially
cover the glass plate 16. The coil 44 is placed in intimate,
heat-exchange contact with the inner surface 54 of the glass plate
16. This may be accomplished by use of a suitable adhesive. The
coil 44 may be fabricated of a metal such as copper or it may be
fabricated of a plastic material.
A portion 56 of the first downwardly extending coil section 46
extends upwardly through an opening in the top frame member 20 and
forms the water inlet to the coil. A similar portion 58 of the last
downwardly extending coil section 46 extends through an opening in
the lower frame member 22 to form the water outlet. A flexible tube
60 connects the inlet 56 with a tubular extension 62 of a fitting
64. As best seen in FIG. 6, the fitting 64 comprises a section of
pipe having one end 66 externally threaded with the other end 68
being internally threaded. The tubular extension 62 communicates
with the interior of the fitting and bypasses part of the water
which flows through the fitting. The externally threaded end 66 is
threadingly received in the water outlet fitting 70. The internally
threaded end 68 threadingly receives the shower head 14. The
fitting 64 permits integration of the mirror 10 with a standard
shower head arrangement without the need for extensive modification
of the shower head. A flexible drain tube 74 extends downwardly
from the outlet 58 for the passage of water from the unit onto the
shower floor for flushing through the usual drain provided
therein.
In operation of the water heated mirror 10, hot water is caused to
flow through the coil 44 whenever the shower is turned on. The hot
water flowing through the coil 44 causes the glass panel 16 to
become heated, thus preventing condensation of moisture thereon.
Consequently, the mirror will remain clear even though the shower
area may become steamy.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of a water heated
mirror 76. The mirror 76 comprises a generally rectangular shell 78
in which is mounted a glass mirror panel 80. The shell 78 is
illustratively fabricated of metal. However, the shell may be
inexpensively formed of plastic by the vacuum molding process. The
shell 78 comprises a back wall 81 having upstanding side walls 82.
An L-shaped flange 84 is provided on the outer edges of the side
walls 82 to define a recess to receive the glass mirror panel 80.
The panel 80 is glazed into the shell by use of a suitable adhesive
to make the juncture of the panel and shell fluid-tight. A tubular
inlet 86 is provided in the upper wall of the shell for connection
to the hot water as described in connection with FIG. 1. A tubular
outlet 88 is provided in the lower wall of the shell for drainage
of water from the unit as previously described.
A plurality of laterally and downwardly extending vanes 90, 92 are
provided within the shell 78 to define a tortuous path for the flow
of hot water through the unit. The vanes 90 extend from the left
hand side of the unit as viewed in FIG. 7 downwardly towards the
right-hand side. The vanes terminate short of the opposite side
wall to provide an opening for the passage of water. The vanes 92
extend from right to left as viewed in FIG. 7 and also terminate
short of the opposite side wall to provide for an opening for the
passage of water. As illustrated by the dotted arrows 94, water
flows from the inlet 86 to the right and then passes downwardly and
then flows from right to left. The water is in direct contact with
the glass panel 80 and thus heats this panel to prevent
condensation of moisture thereon. The water finally drains through
the outlet 88. The vanes 90, 92 in addition to guiding the water
flow, also serve as structural reinforcements for the unit. The
vanes extend between the glass mirror panel 80 and back wall 81 of
the shell 78 to thus reinforce these walls. The side walls of the
unit are similarly reinforced by the connection of the vanes
thereto.
FIGS. 9-11 illustrate another embodiment of a water heated mirror
96. The mirror 96 comprises a shell 98 in which the glass mirror
panel 100 is glazed. The shell 98 comprises a back wall 102 having
upstanding side walls 104, 106, top wall 108 and bottom wall 110. A
notch 112 is provided in the top wall 108. An opening 114 in the
notch receives a tubular inlet member 116 which is connected to the
source of hot water (not shown). A peripheral flange 118 extends
entirely around the shell 98 outwardly from the outer edges of the
walls 104, 106, 108, 110. The glass mirror 100 has a sheet 120 of
plastic material adhered to the rear surface thereof. The sheet 120
in turn is adhered to the surface of the flange 118 in fluid-tight
relationship to result in the interior of the assembly being
fluid-tight. The sheet 120 serves to insulate the glass from direct
contact with the hot water. Additionally, the sheet 120 may be
selected for easy adherence to both glass and metal, the shell 98
being illustratively fabricated of metal.
A U-shaped molding strip 122 fabricated of plastic is provided
around the marginal edge of the mirror assembly. The strip 122 has
flexible side walls with inturned lip portions 124, 126 to securely
grip the flange 118 and the marginal edge of the glass mirror panel
100. The molding strip 122 is decorative and, additionally, tends
to prevent the ingress of moisture which would have a deteriorating
effect upon the glazed edge portion of the shell 98, glass mirror
panel 100, and plastic sheet 120.
A plurality of cylindrical recesses 128 are provided in
spaced-apart relationship in the center of the back wall 102 of the
shell 98. The recesses 128 extend into contact with the sheet 120.
The recesses 128 serve to space the back wall 102 from the sheet
120 and also to reinforce the structure. In addition, they serve to
direct water flow uniformly throughout the shell. Elongated
recesses 130, 132 are provided on each side of the cylindrical
recesses 128. These recesses also engage the sheet 120 and serve
the same purposes as the recesses 128.
Water is injected into the space 134 defined by the shell 98 and
glass mirror panel 100. The water, which is at an elevated
temperature, floods the space 134 and thus heats the glass mirror
panel 100 to prevent the condensation of moisture on the exterior
surface thereof.
Means are provided to constantly drain the spent water from the
space 134. A plurality of spaced apart notches 136, 138 are
provided in each of the side walls 104, 106. As will be noted in
FIG. 10, the notches are substantially V-shaped. An opening 140 is
provided in the upper wall portion 142 for the drainage of water as
illustrated by the solid arrows 144. Water thus constantly drains
from the sides of the mirror unit. The lower wall portion 146 of
the notches is angled downwardly to assist in the gravity flow of
the water. Additional spaced apart openings 148 are provided in the
bottom wall 110 for the drainage of water as illustrated by the
solid arrows 150 in FIG. 11. These drainage openings 140, 148 cause
the water to flow uniformly within chamber 134.
Four spaced apart suction cups 152, illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 12,
are provided for securement of the mirror unit 96 to a supporting
wall surface. The suction cups 152 are held in place by means of
screws 154 which extend through openings in the back wall 102 into
threaded engagement with enlarged portions 156 of the suction cups.
The mirror unit may thus be applied to virtually any wall surface
by merely pressing the suction cups into engagement therewith.
FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate means for mounting of the mirror
96. As illustrated in FIG. 13, elongated permanent magnets 158, 160
are secured in the elongated recesses 130, 132 of the back wall
102. The magnets may be secured in place by means of a suitable
adhesive. In mounting of the mirror unit, the unit is merely
pressed against the supporting wall surface whereupon the magnets
158, 160 will hold the mirror in place. It is, of course, necessary
to have a wall surface which is metallic in nature or which has a
metallic portion thereon as, for example, the metallic trim
frequently provided in modern bathroom designs.
* * * * *